At the
inaugural Singapore Defence Technology Summit held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Defence Science and
Technology Agency (DSTA) signed two new agreements to conduct joint
research in data analytics as well as to collaborate on digital technologies.
As the statutory
board set up under the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), DSTA implements defence
technology plans, acquires defence material and develops defence infrastructure
for MINDEF. DSTA provides leading-edge technological solutions to the Singapore
Armed Forces (SAF) by tapping the best technologies and fostering an
environment of creativity and innovation for defence applications. It also
builds up a strong community of engineers and scientists from the universities,
research institutes, government and industry to serve the defence needs of the
nation.
Data analytics
To
kickstart joint research on data analytics, DSTA and Boeing signed the first
project agreement to commence joint research and co-development in
data analytics.
The information management tool will analyse flight and
maintenance data for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s F-15 and
AH-64 aircraft. The findings will also be used to develop algorithms for
predictive analytics for smarter maintenance and operations.
“Under this agreement, we will jointly develop an
information management tool leveraging data analytics to identify trends and
insights on aircraft performance. This signifies our emphasis on tapping
digital technologies and working closely with the industry to co-develop new
capabilities,” said DSTA Chief Executive Mr Tan Peng Yam.
Digital technologies
DSTA
and Airbus Defence and Space signed
an agreement to pursue joint cooperation in exploiting advances in
digital technologies.
The Collaboration Agreement shows a shared commitment to
promote co-development of digital technologies, which will benefit the support
for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s aircraft, including the A330
Multi-Role Tanker Transport and H225M tactical transport helicopters.
The framework would allow DSTA and Airbus to pool their
engineering expertise through collaborations on areas such as data analytics,
augmented and virtual reality and 3D printing.
According to the DSTA Chief Executive Mr Tan Peng Yam, this
collaboration agreement reflects the mutual interest in DSTA and Airbus to
partner each other on digital technology development, by pulling together the
two parties’ collective expertise and know-how.
Defence research
On the same
day, Singapore also renewed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of
Defence (MOD) and affirmed long-standing defence technology relations.
Chief Defence Scientist Mr Quek Gim Pew and the Chief
Scientific Adviser to the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
Cooperative Defence Research (CDR) for the next 10 years.
The MOU signing was witnessed by Permanent Secretary for
Defence Development Mr Neo Kian Hong and British High Commissioner to Singapore
H.E. Scott Wightman.
First signed in 1998, the MOU renewal demonstrates a shared commitment to
further the long-standing bilateral defence technology cooperation. Under the
renewed MOU, Singapore will continue to collaborate with the UK MOD in joint
research and technology development, and testing of defence-related technologies.
Both sides will look to collaborate deeper in the areas of Logistics
Management, Maritime Autonomy and Counter-Terrorism.
According to the press statement, Singapore and the UK share warm and
long-standing defence relations, underscored by cooperation under the ambit of
the Five Power Defence Arrangements, military exercises and exchanges,
professional interactions, dialogues and the cross-attendance of courses.
The renewal of the MOU on CDR reinforces the
positive trajectory of bilateral defence relations from the signing of the Singapore-UK
Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (DCMOU) earlier this
month. Signed by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and UK Secretary of State
for Defence Gavin Williamson on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the
DCMOU captures existing bilateral defence relations and cooperation, as well as
provides a foundation for future defence cooperation in more specific areas.
